[Adopted 5-26-1975 as Sec. 2-27 of the 1975 Code, as amended through Ord. No. 627-98]
In accordance with the provisions of P.L. 1968, c. 245, codified at N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq., as same may be amended and supplemented, there is hereby established an Environmental Commission of the Borough. The Environmental Commission shall consist of five members, one of whom shall also be a member of the Borough Planning Board and all of whom shall be residents of the Borough. The members shall serve without compensation, except as may hereinafter be provided.
The Mayor shall appoint all the members of the Environmental Commission and shall designate one of such members to serve as Chairman and presiding officer of the Commission.
A. 
All members of the Environmental Commission shall be appointed for terms of three years and until their successors are duly appointed and qualified; provided, however, that in the case of the initial appointment of members of the Commission, two members shall be appointed for a term of one year each, two members shall be appointed for a term of two years each, and one member shall be appointed for a term of three years.
B. 
A vacancy on the Commission occurring otherwise than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as an original appointment.
C. 
The Mayor and Council may remove any member of the Commission for cause, on written charges served upon the member and after a hearing thereon at which the member shall be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel.
[Added 1-24-2000 by Ord. No. 700-00]
A. 
The position of alternate member of the Environmental Commission is hereby established. The Mayor shall appoint two alternate members to the Environmental Commission. Alternate members shall be designated at the time of appointment by the mayor as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2." The terms of the alternate members shall be for two years, except that the terms of the alternate members shall be two years for Alternate No. 1 and one year for Alternate No. 2 so that the term of not more than one alternate member shall expire in any one year.
B. 
Alternate members may participate in all matters but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member of any class. In the event that a choice must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate No. 1 shall vote.
Subject to the availability of duly appropriated funds by the Mayor and Council, the Environmental Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
A. 
Conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land areas of the Borough;
B. 
Study and make recommendations concerning open space preservation, protection of wetlands, water resources and watershed property, management, air pollution control, solid waste management, recycling, noise control, soil and landscape protection, environmental appearance, marine resources and protection of flora and fauna;
C. 
Coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for purposes similar to those set forth in Subsections A and B above;
D. 
Advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which in its judgment it deems necessary for its purposes;
E. 
Keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, including open marshlands, watershed property, swamps and other wetlands, in order to obtain information on the proper use of such areas, and may, from time to time, recommend to the Planning Board of the Borough of Old Tappan plans and programs for inclusion in the Borough master plan and for the development and use of such areas;
F. 
Appoint such clerks and other employees or consultants as it may from time to time require, provided that the costs of such appointments are within the limit of funds appropriated to the Commission; and
G. 
To attend such conventions, conferences, seminars or other courses of instruction as they deem useful or necessary for the performance of their duties and receive reimbursement of all expenses incurred for the same as well as for other necessary expenses related to the Commission's purposes.
Subject to the approval of the Mayor and Council, the Environmental Commission may acquire property, both real and personal, in the name of the Borough by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, devise or lease for any of its purposes and administer the same for such purposes subject to the terms of the conveyance or gift. Such acquisition may be to acquire the fee or any lesser interest, development right, easement (including conservation easement), covenant or other contractual right (including a conveyance on conditions or with limitations or reservations), as may be necessary to acquire, maintain, improve, protect, limit the future use of, or otherwise conserve and properly utilize open spaces and other land wetlands and water areas in the Borough.
The Environmental Commission shall keep complete and accurate records of its meetings and activities and shall make an annual report to the Mayor and Council.
A. 
By December 31 of each year, the Commission shall certify to the Mayor and Council the estimated sum necessary for the proper conduct of its work during the subsequent calendar year.
B. 
The Mayor and Council shall annually appropriate such sum as it may deem necessary for the purposes of the Environmental Commission.